Elementary Music Education: Making Music Happen in Your Homeschool

Most homeschool moms admit they are not fitting as much music, art and physical education into their children's days as they would like. In the face of requirements and extracurricular activities, music often gets shoved aside for another day. Yet, we homeschool moms, if we were parenting public school children would actively fight any attempt to remove music education from the public school. We recognize the value and importance of music education for our children on a philosophical level, yet we do not make a physical and monetary commitment to make music education happen. Here are some easy ways you can slip music education into your homeschool without blowing your budget or your schedule.

Music on the Internet

Many fantastic and free resources are available on-line for music education. Web-sites, and free music downloads for mp3 players make music education accessible for every budget.

Orchestras and Concert halls are creating fun and interactive web-sites to attract musicians of the next generation. If your house is like mine, your children are allowed to be on the internet, but only specific web-sites you have approved. Utilizing your control of internet use, you can easily encourage music education simply by approving some of these great web-sites.

Music for children is a big enterprise on the internet, yet surprisingly you can find many free music files to download and play. Files can even be moved to your mp3 player for portability! If you don't have an mp3 player, you can still use mp3 and other audio files on your computer, and even burn them to compact disc. One of the best and free programs for this is free iTunes, which is available for PC or MAC. With a little creativity, you can use the music on these free web-sites to create a music rich environment in your home. Try the San Francisco Orchestra site, the Classics for Kids site, and the Carnegie Hall site to get you started.

Music at the Library

Public Libraries often have a sizeable music collection. Check in the children's section for selections such as Carnival of the Animals, or Classical Kids recordings. Find the audio book The Story of Classical Music by Darren Henley for a great overview of music history. In the adult section, you can often find recordings of classical music from famous artists. Look for recordings from composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Explore the music of some lesser known composers such as Liszt, Shuman, Wagner, and Hadyn. Libraries like to order what patrons want, so when you are looking for a specific resource, ask your librarian! Keep checking back, and you may soon find your resource on the shelf!

Music Cooperatives

Homeschool Cooperatives can involve as few as two families! This year, my family and another family got together for a few hours once a week and studied Science and Music. My friend taught Science, and I taught Music. We had a lot of fun, and were often able to enjoy time visiting after "class" was over. This is a great way to spend time getting to know one family and make great friends; while meeting one of your educational goals. Larger Cooperatives often offer excellent music classes.

Local Venues

Many communities, even small communities have a Friday night "Music in the Park" during the summer. These concerts are free, and laid back enough that children are always welcome! My family has moved around fairly often, and we always find outdoor Music in the Park type programs. Where we currently live, four different small communities are offering free summer music during the week, yet each are on different days! If we wanted to, we could attend three or four concerts each week for free. Take advantage of these offerings, and make it a family tradition! Local colleges, arts councils, and performing groups often sponsor youth choral groups and orchestras, music classes and music summer camps for children. For your musically inclined child this will be a great introduction to group performance! Local orchestras and performing groups often host a child-friendly "dress rehearsal" for public schools to attend. Homeschool parents can usually reserve a section at these concerts and attend for free. These community venues are a wonderful introduction to a more formal concert without fears misbehavior.

Making Music Happen

One of the biggest frustrations for a homeschool mom bent on making math, language arts, history, science and paytime happen is fitting everything in between extra-curricular activities and family time. Music can be gently eased into your day. Instead of playing the radio in the car, make CD'S or use your mp3 player to bring music lessons with you on car trips. When you are having quiet time in the afternoon, put some good music on. When you are cooking dinner, or sitting at the dinner table, use classical music for background music.

No matter how much you struggle to work music education into your day, you can make it happen! Music aids brain function, calms nerves, and trains minds. To study and understand the music of any generation is to understand the hearts of the people who lived. The value of music in your homeschool should not be underestimated.